Eylan is the prettiest new restaurant in Menlo Park— with food to match

There’s a bit of a pause when entering Eylan, the recently opened Cal-Indian restaurant that’s part of The Villa complex on El Camino. One door opens to an entry way — and a second door leads into the restaurant itself.

And, oh my, prepare to catch your breath — the decor is so beautiful. An earthy color palette with natural tones like terracotta and forest green are accented by a black and white tile floor and handmade chandeliers

Opened in mid-January by Chef Srijith “Sri” Gopinathan (pictured) and restaurateur Ayesha Thapar — the pair behind Ettan in Palo Alto — Eylan means “proclamation” or “public announcement” in Hindi.  The seasonally-driven  menu is centered around the restaurant’s wood-fired grill, and divided into small and large plates along with an assortment of snacks and breads.

We focused on the smaller bites, sharing green grape chaas, cured hamachi and both the lamb and chicken kebabs accompanied by tasty bread. We were ably led through the menu’s offering by our server, Phil. Of note: the large plates seem most suitable for parties of four (or more).

Food and decor add up to an experience unique in Menlo Park. Eylan, located at 500 El Camino Real, is open Tuesday to Sunday from 5:00-10:00 pm.

Photos by Chad Santo Tomas (c) 2025